SEPTEMBER 17, 2009
INSHORE - There has been plenty of action around the flats with the start of the mullet run. Look for the snook, trout, jacks and ladyfish to all be feeding on the mullet. Try the west side of the river just south of the South Bridge. I m getting good reports of snook in the Ft. Pierce Inlet and they are taking live baits -- however most of the snook have been over the slot. The redfish bite is also improving at places like Queen;s Cove and Round Island. Try a gold spoon or a piece of cut up ladyfish for the best results. There has been plenty of snapper around both the North & South Bridges as well as along the channel edges of the Intercoastal. A live shrimp or a small greenie are working the best.
OFFSHORE - There are still a lot of kingfish around in 20 to 60 feet of water and most of the fish are in the 12 to 25 pound range and taking live baits. There are still some cobia being reported around the buoys and over the reefs and wrecks but, they have had a lot of pressure over the last two weeks. Looks for the rays. I did have a few wahoo reported this week in about 280 to 300 feet of water to the south of the power plant. I did get quite a few reports of sailfish free jumping but not eating a lot. They reported them in about 100 feet of water. The bottom fishing for snapper, grouper, aj's and smaller reef fish has been good
when fishing over the reefs and wrecks.
TEEN ANGLERS - Last Sunday was the first inshore fishing tournament of the new season for the Treasure Coast Chapter of Teen Anglers. The Teen's caught a variety of fish which included snapper, snook, trout and black drum.
Middle School Division
1st place - Austin Doyle - Renaissance Charter School - 7lb. 6oz. snook
2nd place - Ariel Vance - Charter School of Ft. Pierce - 3lb. 9oz. redfish
3rd place - Dylora Kohler - Southern Oaks Middle School - 3lb. 6oz. black drum
High School Division
1st place - Shane Surrency - Lincoln Park Academy - 2lb. 3oz. snapper
2nd place - Taylor Meding - St. Lucie West Centennial High - 1lb. 10oz. trout
3rd place - Austin Barnard - Vero Beach Freshman Learning Center - 14oz. snapper
Biggest fish of the tournament went to Austin Doyle for his snook.
The next inshore tournament is scheduled for Sunday -- October 18th with the mandatory meeting on Saturday -- October 17th. If you would like more info on Teen Anglers you can call 772-201-5773 or go to the web at www.teenanglers.org
If you would like to report a catch you can e-mail me at cward11605@aol.com or call me at 772-201-5770. You can also reach me on the web at www.captjoeward.com
Capt. Joe Ward
Capt. Joe's River Charters
